The Angel of Death

Part - 16

Stefan stood soaking in the blood of the beasts that lay slayed and dead around him, many have fled but lots of lost there life under the Curse and Pride. He looked around, feets apart, sword raised, ready for them if any more of them was left or dared to attack again. Right in the middle of the piles of dead beasts, blood paddling by his feet.

When everything was silent for some time he heard the laugher and swiled around on his. First he thought he had mistaken but then he saw his beloved uncle Alayken perched on the low boundary wall.

"Uncle Alayken???" He said unable to keep the astonishment out of his voice.

"Aye my dear nephew, tis me." Alayken said before getting down from his seat.

"What are you doing here? And where is Tiatan?"

Alayken ignored his question and said "You didn't bother to come and see me when I sent Tiatan to tell you that I have escaped the dungeons of Xaincia but I can't be that detached from you. I love you like my own, you know that nephew"

Stefan lowered the Curse and Pride and looked down, unable to meet his accusing gaze upon him. He knew that his uncle have loved him but now he has also realized that Alayken have fed him lies all his life. He made him feel jealous of Darian, he led him to think worst of his family, he provoked him to challenge his brother, he forced him to declare war against his own people and he betrayed him while telling him to use that cursed spell that destroyed a whole village. Killing everyone, men, women, children, animals.... every single living being of that village died an instant death by the mare words spoken by him.

Still he felt little sad for his uncle, he felt he betrayed him by leaving him to face Xaincia's law while he was given the lowest punishment when he was the one who did it all. It was he who felt jealous of Darian and his powers, it was he who thought his parents loved Darian more, it was he who hated every single person who favored Darian, it was he who challenged Darian, it was he who declared war against Xaincia's King, it was he who killed innocent people of Comcastian. He was the main culprit and he was roaming freely on earth while Alayken suffered in the dungeons waiting for his death sentence.

"Look at me Stefan. Look what have become of me..." Alayken said loudly, forcing Stefan to look up and then he started limping towards him.

"Why do you limp?"

"He broke my legs nephew, -" Alayken was saying bitterly "-he then laughed at me and said that when he will be bored by tormenting me, he will drag me out to the middle of war ground and hang me before whole Xaincia to see what happens to people who stood up to him"

"Nay! Darian would never...."

"But he did, don't you believe me nephew?"

"I know my brother" Stefan said strongly but couldn't help feeling sorry for Alayken. Seeing him limping like an wounded animal, it was making him angry, but not on Darian, at himself. It should have been him.

"Really? You really said that? You who knows your brother more then anyone else? You who seen him the way he cunningly took away everything that should have been yours? What is this new found love for Darian? "

"He is my brother!" Stefan roared, marching passed Alayken to the river.

"And I am just a fool to care about you when your beloved twin brother sent packs of beasts towards you" Alayken mumbled, knowing full well that Stefan could here him clearly.

Stefan stopped midway in about to splashing water on his face. Clear water forgotten in his cupped hands. He thought then shrugged before continuing what he went there to do. He splashed cold water on his face to wash away splattered blood, before washing his arms.

Alayken's eyes narrowed on his "favorite nephew". It was him he needed, all his plans rests on Stefan's acceptance.

He have to gain his trust again, no matter what he have to do to gain it.

"How come you have her?" Alayken asked looking greedily at the Curse and Pride, studded in the soft ground of riverbank, where Stefan left it before walking in the river to clean himself.

"What?" Stefan looked back at the sword then replied "Darian must have sent to me..."

"Why? Why now?"

"He must have seen the numbers of beasts were attacking me and..."

"And with brotherly love he sent her to you?" He completed for him mockingly.

Stefan didn't say anything for a moment then pulled it from the ground and looked carefully at the sword.

"Just think nephew, think why would he send her to you? Why now when you gave up the fight? Why now that you gave up all your dreams and accepted your fate? Why now that you finally found love?"

Stefan looked sharply at him "How do you know about Tessa"

"Tiatan told me. I... I am really happy for you. I came here to give my blessings but..."

"But?"

"But she isn't here. Is she?"

"No. But I need to go, she must be waiting for me."

"Alone??? You know how dangerous it is for her?"

"Don't worry, Ambrosden is with her. He will take her to the village or to her home."

"Don't be so foolish"

"What is so foolish about that?"

"The beasts attacks you in unbelievable number, you send the lass away with the horse, then suddenly Darian the great, Darian the generous lends his powerful sword to you. For what?"

"What are you trying to say" Stefan asked with sinking heart.

"You are ever so naive, ever so trusting... can't you see that he was keep an eye on you all this time, waiting for you to slip just one time, make just one mistake."

"Why would he do that?"

"Revenge dear nephew. Revenge nothing else. He would say you didn't honor Xaincia's law and he had no other choice but to finish you."

"Nay! He would have hanged me when he ordered my exile"

"To show your everyone how nice and loving brother he is"

"He wouldn't have sent the Curse and Pride now, the beasts were in great number."

"The beasts were only distraction, so you would leave the lass alone, unprotected with that horse of yours who is loyal to him as well."

"What are trying to say uncle?" Stefan asked unable to keep his calm any longer. Snakes of doubt started uncoiling in his guts.

"Just what you are denying to see. Darian has taken your woman, like you did long time back."

"I... I didn't do anything to harm Janet..."

"True, but don't be so sure about Darian. The lass may already be in dungeons or worse, maybe...." he trailed off with a satisfied smug. The seeds were well planted, now he just needs to nurture it to blossom, then he would have his beloved nephew exactly where he wanted. In his fist, his toy once again.

Stefan breathing became heavy, an image of Tessa, bound in chains, in dark dungeons flashed in his mind. He shook his head to clear it but it only replaced by her bloodied body laying on the forest's cold ground. The growl rose in his throat was not human.

He marched towards the jungle angrily "I need to see it with my own eyes to believe it." He said passing Alayken. 

"I am coming with you..." he said trying to limp behind Stefan.

"Nay!!! I would go alone" Stefan snapped.

"Then take my horse, go fast nephew."

Stefan took the rains of the horse and swung atop fluidly.

"I'll be waiting here for you. You know I can take you back to Xaincia." Alayken called after his disappearing back in the darkness of the jungle.